TUC slams decision to cut Equality and Human Rights Commission's remit

date: 16 April 2013

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the vote today (Tuesday) in the House of Commons to repeal the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) general equalities duty, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'The EHRC has already had its budget slashed and its powers curbed. Today's vote to remove its positive duty to promote equalities and human rights takes us even further away from a Britain free from prejudice and discrimination.

'Weakening our national equalities body will do absolutely nothing for growth or for business. What it will do is undermine its efforts to stand up for women, black and ethnic minority communities and disabled people - those hit hardest by this government's unnecessary cuts.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The general equalities duty calls on the EHRC to play a leading role in challenging cultural attitudes, not just enforcing the law.

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